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Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
L'Oreal's Guive Balooch on future-proofing beauty
While the four Ps of marketing have evolved over time, product remains at the top of the funnel, even for legacy brands. L'Oréal Groupe 's investments in its innovation hub and the products born from it reflect the company's commitment to future-proofing. Leading this journey is Guive Balooch , the global managing director of Augmented Beauty and Open Innovation at L'Oréal Groupe. With nearly two decades at the company, Balooch has spent 13 years building its technology incubator, now known as Augmented Beauty, working at the intersection of science, design and brand. This is where engineers and scientists collaborate closely with marketers and creative heads to push the boundaries of what beauty can be. 'We don't want to just make great tech. We want great beauty products powered by tech,' Balooch tells Brand Equity. Startups, science and scaling ideas Startup partnerships form a vital part of L'Oréal's innovation pipeline. These collaborators bring expertise from fields such as agriculture, wellness, health and robotics. In return, the beauty giant offers formulation knowledge, product development capabilities and access to its powerful brand ecosystem. Whether it is leveraging biotechnology, creating inclusive beauty-tech solutions or forging new external partnerships, Balooch's role is to explore what's next. But unlike the modern marketer who lives by the rhythm of memes and moment marketing, Balooch works on timelines that span months or even years. 'I wake up with 50% optimism, 50% anxiety,' he shares. That emotional balancing act is the reality of innovation at scale, especially when developing products and services is an important mix in the company's portfolio. Whether it is inventing the AirLight Pro, an infrared hairdryer that saves energy, or formulating biotech-driven ingredients through collaborations with startups like Debut Bio, the work involves navigating unknown territory. Timing is everything According to Balooch, it is critical to include marketing teams in the product development journey. However, timing it right is an art. 'Bring them in too early and we might be working with an unproven skeleton. Too late, and we lose time aligning with brand vision,' he says. The sweet spot, he explains, is when the technology is tested enough to solve a real problem, but is still flexible enough to adapt with brand input. A perfect example is Cell BioPrint, L'Oréal's biological diagnostic tool that measures skin biomarkers in minutes. 'It took years to get the science and hardware right before we even spoke to a brand,' he recalls. Not just another shiny toy Balooch believes beauty tech is quickly becoming mainstream, especially when it delivers clear, tangible value. 'Our shade finder tools and biological diagnostics are no longer gimmicks. They're converting to business because they solve real confusion for consumers.' In a category where inclusivity has long been a cornerstone, the rise of beauty-tech brings accessibility into sharper focus. For L'Oréal, that means ensuring its AI tools work seamlessly across all skin tones by building diverse datasets. 'It sounds simple, but it's hard. Yet crucial,' Balooch emphasises. Beauty tech also enables hyper-personalisation, tailoring products to individual biology. 'Biology is not biased. By focusing on your skin's actual needs, we can be truly inclusive.' Services like Beauty Genius and virtual try-ons allow consumers in remote areas, or with limited access to physical retail, to engage with its brands. Purposeful innovation When asked what the most challenging part of his job is, Balooch replies: 'Choosing the right problems to solve and transforming innovation into scale.' It takes patience, resilience and the ability to work across multiple departments, from legal and marketing to R&D. 'It takes a village,' he says. 'And a team that truly believes.' The innovation closest to his heart is Hapta, a smart makeup applicator designed for people with hand and arm mobility challenges. The device was launched with Lancôme during the 2024 Olympics and will roll out globally soon. Balooch sums up his mission simply: 'Our goal isn't to make cool products. It's to make beauty more precise, more inclusive and more personal. That's the future we're building.'
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
From AI to aerospace: Europe's most innovative companies shaping tomorrow
What does innovation look like in 2025? From AI to blockbuster weight-loss drugs, Europe's forward-thinking companies punch above their weight. For the first time, Fortune analyzed the top companies across the continent in partnership with Statista to find the standouts that are driving progress with success. Patent data was provided by LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions. The list features 300 companies across 21 countries and 16 industries, and a total of 168 of the companies are on the Fortune 500 Europe. Companies on the list have brought in just under $8 trillion in annual revenue. The U.K. has more companies on our list than any other country, followed by Germany and Switzerland. The top sectors are finance, followed by retail and industrials. Companies on the list have brought in just under $8 trillion in annual revenue. The list features 300 companies across 21 countries and 16 industries, and a total of 168 of the companies are on the Fortune 500 Europe. Companies on the list have brought in just under $8 trillion in annual revenue. The U.K. has more companies on our list than any other country, followed by Germany and Switzerland. The top sectors are finance, followed by retail and industrials. L'Oréal was ranked at the top of the list in 2025. 'We are immensely proud to be recognized by Fortune as Europe's most innovative company,' Nicolas Hieronimus, Chief Executive Officer of L'Oréal told Fortune. 'This prestigious recognition reinforces our conviction that innovation, fueled by science, technology, and creativity, is the best way to succeed on the world stage, but is also a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of our teams around the globe.' We've highlighted some of the standout companies from this year's list driving innovation across Europe. Household products Noted for: Product innovation Employees: 50,000–99,999Fortune 500 Europe rank: 91France L'Oréal invests more than €1 billion annually in research and innovation and boasts a team of over 4,000 researchers. This, in turn, helps the French company formulate new ingredients and develop new products. Earlier this year, L'Oréal launched a device called Cell BioPrint that will give people a detailed assessment of their skin and the products best suited for it. 'This prestigious recognition reinforces our conviction that innovation, fueled by science, technology, and creativity, is the best way to succeed on the world stage…' Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO, L'Oréal Household products Product innovationEmployees: >100,000F500 Europe rank: 49U.K. Unilever's innovations take different shapes and forms—from fast-action laundry liquid to paper-cup instant noodles. The London-based company has 20,000 patents and a team of 5,000 experts who design new products, aided by nearly €1 billion in annual investments. Unilever has also expanded its AI use to help customers find the best products and discover new ones backed by scientific data. Health careProduct innovationEmployees: 50,000–99,999F500 Europe rank: 210Netherlands Founded in 1891, Royal Philips is known for pioneering innovations in lighting, health care, and consumer electronics. Key breakthroughs include the first compact audio cassette, electric razors, and mercury-free light bulbs. Today, Philips leads in sustainable, health–focused technology, improving billions of lives globally. Health careInnovation cultureEmployees: 50,000–99,999F500 Europe rank: 104U.K. GSK's innovations were reflected in its bottom line in 2024. With the help of its Silicon Valley veteran technology chief, Shobie Ramakrishnan, GSK is also using AI to speed drug discovery and streamline its supply chains. Health careInnovation cultureEmployees: 50,000–99,999F500 Europe rank: 116Denmark Novo Nordisk is wasting little time in developing new obesity treatments that, until recently, made it Europe's most valuable company. In May, the FDA accepted Novo's application to sell an oral version of Wegovy; an approval decision is expected in Q4. Novo Nordisk's recent trials for CagriSema, a new, more effective weight-loss medication, could increase its appeal beyond the millions already using its drugs. Health careProcess innovationEmployees: 50,000–99,999F500 Europe rank: 125Ireland In 2024, Medtronic invested more than $2.7 billion in R&D and operated over 81 manufacturing sites. AI is used to customize patient care, ranging from personalized brain therapy to data-driven diabetes care. The use of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) also helps enhance precision and control. RetailingProduct innovationEmployees: >100,000F500 Europe rank: 144France Whether with Ray-Ban Meta glasses or its latest audio-enhancing eyewear, EssilorLuxottica is always pioneering new technology. Nearly 1,000 researchers across 50 R&D sites supported by up to €350 million in investment help the Franco-Italian company stay ahead of trends. The company is also vertically integrated, allowing for better quality control globally. Click here to view the full list. This story was originally featured on
